I'm not sure what's more surprising, Matt Fitzpatrick missing a putt to win the hole, or Rory McIlroy even being in position to help him out - I thought he'd given up.

But no, McIlroy's here and he actually looked a bit surprised himself as he rolls in a birdie putt on seven to make his first contribution to the team - and it's one that takes them six ahead and absolutely flying.

Safely away at 10.

Well, they are except for Jordan Spieth. He's flayed his tee shot way right and it's cleared the brook that runs down the length of this hole.

Justin Thomas will be carrying the fight to the European pair alone here.

Wyndham Clark has been talking the talk this week, saying he was looking forward to test himself against the best under the Ryder Cup microscope, while also suggesting the hard-grafting European players might be "leaking oil" by Sunday.

After a slow start this afternoon, the US Open champion is walking the walk.

Clark's birdies on five and seven have turned the deficit into a much-needed lead.

Paul Waring
European Tour pro on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is great this to-ing and fro-ing in this top match. It's going to be a tight one.

There's a grittiness between the two fourball partners. You can see, especially in the Europeans, that they're starting to work together, and on the American side as well.

Viktor Hovland sees Justin Thomas make birdie and he duly follows him in. Nerveless from the Norwegian.

We make the turn all square.

If Matt Fitzpatrick wasn't going absolutely ballistic Nicolai Hojgaard would be the talk of this session, as the rookie rolls in another 14-footer to put his team two up after Jon Rahm found the water but then chipped in for par.

Finally some red on the board.

See if it lasts longer than the 10 minutes or so that was briefly splashed on earlier.

This is down to Wyndham Clark holing out his birdie putt on the par-three seventh as we anticipated.

Neither Justin Rose or Bob MacIntyre could match his two.

An animated discussion happnening on the ninth green between Viktor Hovland, Jordan Spieth and Tyrrell Hatton. Will keep an eye on that.

Meanwhile, Justin Thomas is lining up a five-foot birdie putt after dragging his eagle attempt left.

The Americans need this, he tucks it away. Over to Europe.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Rome

“Is everyone alright? I didn’t hit anyone did I?” asks Tyrrell Hatton, who then jokes with the crowd after going right off the tee on the ninth and finding a second ball that looks like it’s been there a while.

The Englishman now had a very awkward approach from the rough, which he creamed with a wood!

Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is one of the most extraordinary things I have seen on a golf course in a very long time.

Six greens, six putts, six holed putts.

Europe are five up - and it is all Matt Fitzpatrick.

Stuart: Matt Fitzpatrick's putter. Americans have no answer

Really like this move from the Europeans, as Rory McIlroy doesn't even bother having a putt as he's the further away, so as is allowed in this format he lets Matt Fitzpatrick tap in for his birdie (surprise, surprise).

Xander Schauffele then tugs his short putt to match Fitzpatrick to the left and that hands a fifth hole in a row to a rampant Fitzpatrick.

Do you think Matt Fitzpatrick is making a statement here? He's lost all five matches he's played in two Ryder Cups, but he can count himself unlucky in many ways.

Firstly, both of his previous Ryder Cups have been away from home, and he's always been deployed in foursomes - this is his first go at fourballs in his first home tournament.

I think he rather likes playing his own ball....

Some grisly lies for three of this group as they try to attack the par-five ninth.

Tyrrell Hatton is stuck in heavy rough out right and up a brutal-looking slope but he's game and whacks it with his hybrid out onto the fairway.

With Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland also scrambling, it's left to Justin Thomas to set the standard and he's on the green in two.

Eagle putt from 50 feet coming up.

The arc of Homa's tee-shot on the par-three seventh is as stunning as a rainbow.

A bit too much beef in it though, hopping past the pin and ending up on the back fringe.

Homa has done most of the heavy-lifting for this American pair, but Wyndham Clark steps up to the plate with a similar-shaped shot and less length.

Perfect. Excellent response from these two.

MacIntyre goes long before Rose finds a similar line to Clark, finishing a bit further out.

At this stage we're not sure whether Rory McIlroy should even bother playing right now - as Matt Fitzpatrick sticks an iron shot within five feet.

Xaner Schauffele responds by almost matching it s America have a good chance of at least not losing this hole - but stopping this Fitzpatrick juggernaut is tough right now.

Matt Wallace
Four-time European Tour winner on BBC Radio 5 Live

Unbelievable. The guy can't be stopped right now.

It's the Matt Fitzpatrick show.

MacIntyre has a crack first, but his ball doesn't drop.

Over to you, Rosey. No problem mate.

Another assured roll from the Ryder Cup veteran for his second birdie of the afternoon, ensuring this match stays all square.

Tight and tense.

The putters are out on the sixth green.

Birdie putts all round.

Homa up first from about 30 feet, he's not going to land this - is he?

Yes! Line and length. Excellent putt and you can see what it means as he celebrates with a roar.

Can MacIntyre or Rose cancel it out?